At the University of Vermont, the robots are learning about their bodies. Bot-tots who come online flat on the floor like babies and then gradually find upright positions, learned how to walk many times faster than their pre-positioned counterparts. Turns out learning in small steps — how to crawl before standing before walking — makes for a better adapted robot in the real world. So if you’re giddy for a future robo-maid, start preparing the nursery since it may have to be “raised” before it can bring you breakfast in bed.